Moving to a loftier plane than Inspector-General of Police D K Panda who anointed himself Krishna's 'Doosri Radha', a senior official in Lucknow claims divine status and a direct telephone line to Lord Shiva.

Uttar Pradesh Road Transport Corporation General Manager (Technical) Gyanendra Pratap Singh has declared himself God and claimed that a year ago, 'Bhagwan Shankar' blessed him with his darshans and bestowed upon him divine powers.

Singh also claimed to have established 'direct contact' with Lord Shiva with whom he 'converses on the phone every day'.

As a result, his phone bill reads more than Rs 25,000, well beyond the entitled limit of Rs 2,500.

Singh avows to be 'Bhagwan Gyanendra Pratap Singhji Maharaj' and has got posters printed of himself to endorse the claim. The photos, which show him attired in divine finery and with a halo, have also caught the attention of his seniors.

The transport department has set up a three-member inquiry committee to look into the complaints against him and required action will be taken soon, UPSCTC Managing Director Umesh Sinha said.

"Apart from the huge phone bills, misuse of office and official vehicle, dereliction of duty and financial irregularities form the basis of the ongoing inquiry," Sinha said.

Unlike Panda, Singh dresses normally to office, but after hours, he wears long robes blessing followers at his house.

Like Panda, his wife Seema Singh took him to family court demanding maintenance for their two young children and accusing him of mental and physical violence.

Panda's wife Veena too had dragged the IG to court for maintenance as he hit the headlines after making an appearance dressed as a woman.